Simeni Kachotam al Libbecha, Set Me as a Seal Upon Your Heart [14']

for mezzo and chamber orchestra [1-1-1-1, no brass, 2 perc and strings]

Joelle Wallach’s Simeni Kachotam Al Libbecha, Set Me As A Seal Upon Your Heartis a lyrical and dramatic work for mezzo soprano and chamber ensemble. In its quasi-narrative treatment of the Biblical Song of Songs,Simeni Kachotam Al Libbecha, Set Me As A Seal Upon Your Heartfinds an erotic and passionate story line.

Ecstatic tempo fluctuations and adaptations of Arabic scales and rhythmic modes evoke the exotic setting and the frenzied urgency of a turbulent personal quest, partly spiritual and partly of the flesh.

Each haunting melody has alternate settings for its Hebrew words, drawn directly from the Biblical text. The choice of either modern Sephardic pronunciation or ancient historical ones reflects the timelessness of the text.